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National Jewish Health Appt
BE since 2012. Positive for MAC December 2025 from sputum culture. Referred to NJH, and appointments are currently scheduled for May 2026. A local pulmonary specialist performed a bronchoscopy in January 2026. The bronchoscopy culture was NEG for MAC, but I was positive for Pseudomonas.
NJH said that I can continue with my appointment if I want to. My local doctor said they felt confident to manage the BE.
I am a thin, 59-year-old female (more susceptible to MAC) and run a horse farm, where I cut 14 acres of grass, clean horse stalls, etc.
I can't decide whether to keep my appointment at NJH. I would really like to educate myself on how to keep myself healthy, etc.
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@mtinderscott2626 If you can afford the time, travel, and cost, I think you should keep the appointment because NJH with give you the most thorough examination and information you can possibly get.
Here is why - you are relatively young, and in a high risk situation, so you need the best info possible.
Most NJH patients return home to follow with their local docs, and you could do the same - what you learn in Denver will hive you the confidence to follow with your current team, or the notion that you may need someone else.
Is thr current doc treating the pseudomonas? Have you been given any precautions to follow as you care for your horses?
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1 Reaction@sueinmn Yes, they put me on an antibiotic for the pseudomonas..............message from pt portal "It can be treated with antibiotics (typically first line would be an oral antibiotic such as ciprofloxacin or levofloxacin) given for 14 days +/- a period of inhaled antibiotics with the intent of eradication. I wanted to reach out and see how you were feeling and if you would be interested in proceeding with a course of antibiotic therapy. "
I completed the antibiotic, and I guess that is it unless my next sputum culture shows something. I have no clue as to whether the oral antibiotic has eradicated the Pseudomonas. The local pulmonary specialists have me on a saline inhaler, 3-7%. I asked about cutting grass, and I was told to wear a mask. Otherwise, I have not been given much detail on how to protect myself.
@mtinderscott2626 You may have found information on other threads, on this Mayo Clinic Connect , where others have asked about NJH,.
I went, and as many others who have gone to NJH that come to this site....would say, "I am very glad I went. "
With NJH having dedicated the facility to all things related to lung problems etc., since the late 1800's, they are well versed on the various lung problems and how to handle them.
The tests they do in one weeks visit would normally take months to a year to work out with all the needed appointments in most local areas. They look for other possible problems that may be contributing and related to what is going on, and as well, all things necessary for us to know and do.
So sorry you are dealing with all one deals with once we know we have BE and an infection(s) that can cause us to go on the medications etc.
You are fortunate that you were referred to NJH.
I take it you have done all each of us needs to do in checking with one's insurance to know how all is to be handled so there will not be any surprises. Always good to know and understand. I talked with the NJH financial department.
Barbara
@blm1007blm1007 Thank you for sharing.
Diagnosed with a positive for MAC in Dec 2025, I definitely 100% wanted to go to NJH. However, after my second culture, which was negative for MAC from the bronchoscopy in January 2026, I am not sure it is worth going.
Would you still go to NJH with a negative MAC culture? Will it be worth my time and money to go still?
@mtinderscott2626 I would go. They would evaluate you as a whole case, compare tests, tell you how to proceed. One negative test you had does mnot necessarily mean MAC negative. I would go to have a back up and a good diagnosis